FW: [BioMedHeads] MA: Mercury Products Bill passes Senate

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The Arc of Massachusetts Mailing List

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Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 3:56:36 PM

Subject: [arcmass] mercury bill passes senate

Today at 2:20, the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously to pass legislation to stop

mercury pollution from products such as thermostats, automobiles, fluorescent

lights, and electrical switches. S-2464, An

Act Relative to Mercury Management, sponsored by Representative

sen (D-Marblehead) and Senator Tucker (D-Andover), will

phase out the use of certain mercury-containing products that have safer

alternatives and will require manufacturers to set up collection programs to

keep discarded products out of the waste stream. The bill goes farther

than other states by requiring collection systems for fluorescent lamps, which

were excluded in other states.

Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that has been linked to

learning disabilities and developmental delays in children, as well as damage

to the heart, nervous system and kidneys in adults. Mercury enters the

environment via waste incinerators, pollution from power plants, chlorine

production facilities and other sources. In Massachusetts

a large source of air emissions is the states 5 largest incinerators, which

together emit 587 pounds of mercury a year according to DEP data.

Forty-five states have issued advisories warning sensitive populations about

the dangers of eating mercury-contaminated fish, and in 2004, the FDA and the

EPA advised women of childbearing age and young children to avoid shark,

swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish, and to limit consumption of canned

albacore tuna and fresh tuna to 6 oz. per week.

Thanks to all disability advocates who helped urge both the

House and Senate for their unanimous vote on this bill.

The bill now moves to Governor Romney for his signature or

veto.

______________________________

Deputy Director

The Arc of Massachusetts

PH 781-891-6270 ext. 104

217 South

Street

FX 781-891-6271

Waltham, MA

02453

www.arcmass.org

The Arc of Massachusetts (formerly the Massachusetts

Association for Retarded Citizens) mission is to enhance the lives of

individuals with cognitive and intellectual disabilities and their families. We

accomplish this through advocacy of supports and services based in the

community.

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